Abstract : The variations of absolute angular momentum about the earth's axis during January 1946 have been studied. The data were obtained from northern hemisphere synoptic maps aat sea level, 700 millibar, and 500 millibars. It was found that from 15 deg n to 35 deg n, addition of angular momentum to the atmosphere by friction accompanied depletion of angular momentum by horizontal transport of relative angular momentum, i.e., angular momentum due to motion relative to the earth's surface.